The Pension Boards - PBUCC - Member Education

Retirement Resources

Discover a number of educational resources to help you navigate the journey towards a fulfilling retirement. Whether you're just starting to plan or nearing the finish line, these comprehensive resources will help guide you every step of the way.

On the Path to Retirement

In the journey of life, retirement is a significant milestone! Suddenly, you have more time for things you always wanted to do, such as travel, start a new hobby, donate more time, or relax. It’s also a chance to think about your achievements and plan for the future.

Annuity Timeline and Decisions

There are a few major decisions that you will need to make when you decide to annuitize your Pension Boards Lifetime Retirement Income account, whether at retirement or at another time.

Planning for the Transition to Retirement Resource Guide

If you are in the process of arranging your financial life in anticipation of retirement, or if you are ready to begin the process of retirement, the resources below can provide you with the information you will need to make the best decision possible for you and your family.

Maximize the Gift of Time for Your Retirement

Let compound interest work to your advantage by making personal contributions into the Lifetime Retirement Income Plan for the UCC (Plan). The Lifetime Retirement Income Plan for the UCC is a great tool to help you build your retirement nest egg! It allows you to contribute toward your retirement savings through automatic voluntary personal payroll deductions.

Complimentary and Confidential Financial Guidance

Whether you need help budgeting, applying for student loan forgiveness, creating a debt repayment plan, estimating if you are on track for retirement, or investing in the UCC Lifetime Retirement Income Plan, PBUCC provides free and confidential assistance so you can focus on your life or ministry career journey. Read below to learn about your options to discuss your unique financial situation by phone.

Service Provider	Services	Eligibility
LSS Financial Choice Counselors https://www.lssmn.org/financialcounseling/pbucc 833.975.0719, 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET, Mon-Fri.	Student loan forgiveness Budget and debt management counseling Housing counseling assistance with a certified HUD counselor Credit improvement Debt management plans	All PBUCC members and their immediate family, spouses/partners
Fidelity Retirement Planners Call 800.642.6543, option 4, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Mon-Fri	Stay on track to save for retirement Identify the PBUCC investment fund that suits you best Update your contributions rates, beneficiaries, or other personal information	All PBUCC members with accumulating assets in the Lifetime Retirement Income Plan
PBUCC Pension Counselors Call 800.642.6543	Turn your PBUCC Lifetime Retirement Income Plan into monthly payments Understand the options for your PBUCC benefits at retirement	All PBUCC members (targeted towards members aged 45 and older)

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Financial Counseling for You and Your Family Needs

Overview of LSS Financial Choice

LSS Financial Choice is an enhanced service that provides nonjudgmental support, financial guidance, and proven tools to achieve your financial wellness goals.

Through your LSS Financial Choice benefit, PBUCC members including their immediate family, spouses/partners, can receive six free counseling sessions per year including:

Student Loan forgiveness
Budget and debt management counseling
Certified HUD housing counseling
Credit improvement
Debt management plans

Everyone can benefit from a financial check-up, and LSS Financial Choice can provide the guidance, tools, and support you need in your financial journey. All sessions with Financial Choice counselors are free and confidential. Appointments are available by phone or online.

Navigate the menu above to learn more about ways you can utilize the LSS Financial Choice Benefit!

To get started, call 833-975-0719 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mon.-Fri., or visit https://www.lssmn.org/financialcounseling/pbucc

IMPORTANT NOTE: LSS Financial Counseling is an experienced, full-service credit counseling agency, but they do not discuss retirement or investment planning. For questions about your PBUCC retirement account, call Member Services at 800.642.6543 from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m. ET, Mon.-Fri., to be directed to a Fidelity Retirement Planner.

Testimonial

“I had the privilege to work with my LSS Financial Choice counselor and I am beyond grateful for her advocacy and support. I received so many mixed messages regarding the PSLF (Public Student Loan Forgiveness) process and was utterly confused. There was no way I thought I would qualify and honestly just called on a whim. Did she light a fire under me! She answered all my questions over the course of a few months and continued to be easily accessible during my long waiting period.

Thanks to her encouragement and guidance. I was able to erase over $30,000 in student loans. This is always good news, but it has also opened up some other opportunities I probably would’ve had to wait another 10 years for."

Are you having trouble paying off your student loan debt, or understanding your student loan repayment options? Perhaps you are wondering if you qualify for federal student loan forgiveness programs?

Whether you are in school right now, in the process of paying off your loans, or helping someone else with their student loans, we are here to guide you through the available student loan repayment options and assist you with developing a plan to achieve financial wellness.

LSS’s nonprofit student loan counselors can assist in two ways:

1: They provide free expert guidance for student loan repayment.
2: They make sure you are aware of available resources to help ease the burden.

LSS’s student loan counselors will:	Explore student loan repayment options for all student loans and your potential solutions.
	Determine your eligibility for federal student loan repayment programs and loan forgiveness programs.
	Support you with a holistic approach and creating a budget to cover monthly expenses, including student loan payments.
	Work with you to contact private lenders to determine possible student loan repayment solutions.
	Help you come up with a plan to avoid default and the related consequences.
	Work with you to bring your student loans current if you’ve fallen behind on payments or are in default.
	Create an individualized action plan to help you regain control of your finances.

Testimonial

“Natalie” met with her student loan counselor multiple times. Before meeting with a counselor, she felt like PSLF (Public Student Loan Forgiveness) just never worked out for her. After looking over her situation, the counselor walked her through the steps to qualify for PSLF, and they did that process together. Natalie submitted her PSLF forms in December 2023. By April 2024, she received notice that all loans were forgiven as of February 2024. She was very excited to see all $0 balances and be done! “I really appreciate all your assistance and guidance in this complex subject and process. You really took the time and made it easier to understand.  I am forever grateful to you.”

To get started, call 833-975-0719 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mon-Fri. or visit https://www.lssmn.org/financialcounseling/pbucc

LSS Financial Choice counselors are here to assist you with creating a plan, so you will feel confident in managing your finances. They are certified by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and can help evaluate your current financial situation, help you learn about your spending habits, and discuss debt management options.

To get started, call 833-975-0719 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mon.-Fri., or visit https://www.lssmn.org/financialcounseling/pbucc

LSS Financial Counseling is accredited by the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD) to help individuals and families understand the home purchasing process, what steps to take to fix budgeting and credit problems, and how to avoid predatory lending practices.

LSS Financial Counselors can help in several ways:

Homeownership Counseling	Buying a home can be a great financial asset for you and your family. Through this service, a HUD-certified housing counselor works with you to get your finances in order and walk you through the homebuying process. You can be sure you are doing things right and setting yourself up for long-term success with our trusted support and resources for anyone considering homeownership.
Foreclosure Prevention Counseling	LSS HUD-certified housing counselors are specialists in foreclosure avoidance and prevention. They will set up a plan of action designed just for you and your situation. 65% of homeowners who received foreclosure prevention counseling services were able to avoid foreclosure.
Reverse Mortgage Counseling	LSS HUD-certified housing counselors provide homeowners with impartial reverse mortgage education and discuss how a reverse mortgage will affect your financial situation.

Testimonial

“Aaron” and “Abigail” were ready to explore homeownership and they spoke with an LSS HUD-certified housing counselors about the pros and cons of buying a home. As a result of the conversation, they were able to guide their decision-making process.

“The LSS counselor was friendly and had a positive attitude.”

To get started, call 833-975-0719 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mon.-Fri., or visit https://www.lssmn.org/financialcounseling/pbucc

A key component to gaining control of your finances is improving your credit score over time. Your credit score is used in decisions regarding eligibility for loans, the cost of insurance premiums, and even employment and rental applications. A LSS Financial Choice counselor will discuss the key components of your credit score and ways to increase it. With your permission, they will pull your credit report and credit score so you can organize your finances, and address and correct potential errors in the report.

Testimonial

“Sara” was curious about her credit score and wanted to find ways to improve it before her family had to move to another state. She was able to meet with a financial counselor a few times, and together they reviewed her credit situation and came up with some action steps. As a result, her credit score increased by 100 points! She was very excited about her progress, as this will help her with future plans.

To get started, call 833-975-0719 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mon.-Fri., or visit https://www.lssmn.org/financialcounseling/pbucc

Are you choosing which bills to pay this month? Are you dealing with credit card debt? Are debt collectors continually harassing you? Are you feeling stressed about money? Discuss your options with an LSS Financial Choice counselor.

LSS offers debt relief services such as a nonprofit Debt Management Plan (DMP), which may lower your payments and reduce interest rates by consolidating your payments into one payment each month.  LSS is certified by the National Foundation for Credit Counseling (NFCC) and their financial counselors are ready to support you in achieving financial wellness!

LSS Debt Management Plan: (Hypothetical example for illustrative purposes only)

Self-Pay	LSS Debt Management Plan
$15,000	$15,000
APR: 21.5%	APR: 7.3% (average)
Minimum payment	Fixed Payment = $350
Time to pay off = 161 years!	Time to pay off = less than 5 years
Interest repaid = $158,050	Interest + fees paid = $4,808

What is a nonprofit Debt Management Plan?	A nonprofit Debt Management Plan (DMP) is an agreement made between you and your creditors to pay off outstanding debts. You create a plan with a financial counselor, consolidate your payments, then make one payment to LSS each month, who sends the funds to your creditors.
What is a nonprofit Debt Management Plan?	Payments for a nonprofit DMP are typically lower than your current payments, and most creditors will significantly reduce interest rates and stop fees once you are on a DMP. With on-time payments, your debt can be paid off substantially faster.

Is There a Fee?

Your budget and debt counseling sessions with a LSS Financial Choice counselor are completely free. If you choose to start a Debt Management Plan, you will pay a small monthly fee to LSS. This can vary by the state you live in and the amount you owe. Your LSS Financial Counselor will explain all your options and applicable fees during your counseling session.

Testimonial

“Betty” had accumulated debt over the years and was handling it alright but was going through a divorce and needed to get an apartment on her own. When she met with her financial counselor, she expressed concern about her high payments and interest with the credit card debt. Betty signed up for the Debt Management Plan (DMP) which saved her $23,752 in interest and reduced her monthly payment by $300 per month. She successfully paid off her DMP in four and a half years and also increased her credit score by 77 points. Betty is now debt free! She emailed her counselor, "Thank you so much for helping me. I can't believe it."

To get started, call 833-975-0719 from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. Mon.-Fri., or visit https://www.lssmn.org/financialcounseling/pbucc

As a benefit of your PBUCC Lifetime Retirement Income Plan, Fidelity Retirement Planners can help you see if you are on track for retirement and help you choose the investments in your account. Calls are unlimited, confidential, and there are no sales involved. Call via Pension Boards Members Services and ask to speak with a Fidelity Retirement Planner at 1.800.642.6543, from 8:00 a.m. to 9:00 p.m., Mon-Fri.

Fidelity NetBenefits® Online and App

Access all your PBUCC Lifetime Retirement Income Account — anytime, anywhere using the NetBenefits® online or the mobile app.

To access Fidelity NetBenefits® online, go to PBUCC.ORG > Member Login > Access Fidelity NetBenefits®. After you register and create a username and password, you can use the mobile app.

You can also download the NetBenefits® smartphone app for on-the-go access to your Fidelity workplace accounts.

VIEW
Review your account balances, investments, your personal rate of return, next steps, and more.

ACT
Change contributions or investments, update your profile or beneficiaries, send paperwork, and more.

Download at Fidelity.com/go/NetBenefitsapp

* System availability and response times may vary.

PBUCC Pension Counselors can help you turn your PBUCC retirement savings into lifetime monthly retirement income. They will guide you from the day you decide to retire until your lifetime monthly payments begin. They will discuss important considerations, including selecting the right annuity for you, pension payment options, and your ability to take a partial lump-sum payment.

Meet Anna Blandino

Meet Baheru Mengistu

Click here to schedule a call with a PBUCC Pension Counselor.

Other Resources

Below are resources that you can use to keep track of important documents and manage your personal finances.

Vital Records Guide: This tool will help you identify and get the right financial and legal documents in place to help you manage your finances in a variety of situations.
Setting SMART Financial Goals: Setting financial goals can motivate you to save money. When these goals are SMART, you’re more likely to achieve them.
Budgeting Worksheet: A cash flow budget is all about tracking the timing of your income and expenses to make sure you have enough from week to week.
Debt Worksheet: Use this debt worksheet to see all your bills and plan what you owe.
Social Security Benefit Planner: Provides your most recent Social Security earnings record. Social Security calculators use different parameters and assumptions (e.g., different stop work-ages, future earnings projections, etc.) to help you plan for retirement.
Annual Credit Report: Obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies every 12 months.

Educational Videos — Benefit Plans, Products, and Services

The Pension Boards is pleased to offer new educational animated videos on the many benefit plans, products, and services we offer to you, our members, so you can maximize Pension Boards’ benefits to secure lifetime annuity income, better manage your personal finances, and achieve overall health and wellness. Stay tuned for more videos to come.

Managing your PBUCC Lifetime Retirement Income Plan

Managing your PBUCC Retirement Savings Account - Simple Steps to Log Into Your Account

Learn how to access your PBUCC Lifetime Retirement Income Plan account and connect to Fidelity’s NetBenefits® site by following these simple steps. Click here to watch the video.

How to Modify Investments in Your PBUCC Retirement Account

Would you like to view your current retirement allocations or change your future personal contributions, or that of your employers’ contributions? Watch this step-by-step video tutorial to help you make these changes in your PBUCC Lifetime Retirement Income Plan account through Fidelity’s NetBenefits® site. Click here to watch the video.

How to Change Your Contribution Amount in Your PBUCC Retirement Account

Watch this video tututorial to learn how to change your contribution amount in your Lifetime Retirement Income Plan through Fidelity NetBenefits®, and get an estimate on how this contribution amount will affect your take-home pay. Click here to watch the video.

Simple Steps to Update Your Beneficiaries

Updating your beneficiaries regularly is a crucial aspect of financial planning that ensures your assets are distributed according to your wishes upon your passing. Watch this brief video tutorial for the simple steps you need to take to keep your beneficiaries current. Click here to watch the video.

How to Roll Over Existing Pre-Tax Accounts

Learn how to roll over existing pre-tax accounts. Click here to watch the video.

Health Plan Education Videos

Why the Pension Boards Chose Humana

Discusses the features and benefits of the UCC Medicare Advantage Plan with Rx, administered by Humana, and explains the process and reasoning for the Pension Boards’ decision to transition to a fully-insured plan. Click to watch video

Your UCC Non-Medicare Plan Benefits

The UCC Non-Medicare Health Plan supports your ministry through its offering of several comprehensive benefits including medical, dental, and vision coverage. Learn about these benefits through this special animated presentation which features a day-in-the-life of "Pastor Sarah." Click to watch video

We’re Looking Out for Your Financial Health

Member Education Overview

Did you know that all PBUCC Members, both accumulating and already annuitized, have complimentary access to free financial help? From workshops, to online tools to licensed Fidelity Retirement Planners, you have resources at your fingertips that can help you put a plan in place—for whatever financial goals you may have.

Watch this quick three-minute video to see all the help you can take advantage of and take your next steps toward financial wellness today!

Fidelity Retirement Planners
You have a team of licensed Fidelity Retirement Planners that are available to speak with you when it’s most convenient for you. They know all about your PBUCC Lifetime Retirement Income Plan and can be reached easily by phone. Click here to learn more.
Fidelity NetBenefits® and App
Fidelity NetBenefits® has financial tools beyond just saving for retirement. From creating an emergency savings fund and managing your spending to improving your investing know-how and growing your savings, NetBenefits® has the resources you need to help you achieve financial wellness and feel confident about where you stand. Log in to NetBenefits® via your PBUCC Member Login, and click “Access Fidelity NetBenefits® to get started.

You can also download the NetBenfeits® smartphone app (Apple and Android) for on-the-go access to financial resources and your PBUCC Lifetime Retirement Income Plan account.
Complementary Financial Wellness Webinars
The Pension Boards and Fidelity offer financial planning webinars throughout the year on a wide range of topics. Below are just a few of the topics covered: Click here to learn more!
- Budget and debt management
- Saving for multiple goals
- Investing and choosing your investment approach
- Building a retirement income plan
- Estate planning education

Helpful Sites

Social Security Benefit Planner – provides your most recent Social Security earnings record. Social Security calculators use different parameters and assumptions (e.g., different stop work-ages, future earnings projections, etc.) to help you plan for retirement.

Department of Labor - For additional retirement and financial resources.

Annual Credit Report - Obtain a free copy of your credit report from each of the three major credit reporting agencies every 12 months.

Long-Term Care Coverage

The Pension Boards-UCC knows that one of the greatest financial and emotional risks you face is the possibility of needing long-term care. The risks and associated costs are simply too great to ignore. We have selected LTC Financial Partners, the nation’s leading provider of this important coverage, to provide education on the need for long-term care and available coverage options.

Financial Wellness Presentations

online learning

Complementary Financial Wellness Presentations

The following presentations are delivered by the Pension Boards or by Fidelity specifically for PBUCC Members. Please add the dates below to your calendar and look for email invites prior to each scheduled event.

Complimentary and Confidential Financial Guidance

Holiday Schedule

Financial Counseling for You and Your Family Needs

Overview of LSS Financial Choice

Testimonial

LSS’s student loan counselors will:

Testimonial

Testimonial

Testimonial

LSS Debt Management Plan: (Hypothetical example for illustrative purposes only)

What is a nonprofit Debt Management Plan?

Is There a Fee?

Testimonial

Fidelity NetBenefits® Online and App

Meet Anna Blandino

Meet Baheru Mengistu

Managing your PBUCC Lifetime Retirement Income Plan

Health Plan Education Videos

Member Education Overview

Helpful Sites

Complementary Financial Wellness Presentations